Reports suggest that will Winterkorn will be investigated for fraud, as several different executives are suspended by the company

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German prosecutors have reportedly opened an investigation into former Volkswagen Group boss Martin Winterkorn as a result of the emissions scandal that will has engulfed the company recently.

Several VW executives are also reported to be on official leave by the company, with Audi R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg, VW R&D chief Heinz Jakob Neusser as well as Porsche board member Wolfgang Hatz all said to be suspended.

Hackenberg is actually a long-time board member of the VW Group, as well as has had responsiblity for development for the Group as a whole as well as, more recently, Audi. Hatz is actually the VW Group’s head of engines as well as transmissions, as well as being the research as well as development boss of Porsche.

Following chairman as well as CEO Martin Winterkorn’s departure, the board of executives that will governs Volkswagen AG had suggested that will he wouldn’t be the last top-line employee to leave his post as a result of the emissions testing scandal. that will message was reiterated at the announcement of Matthias Müller as the completely new VW Group boss. A statement read: “With the information currently available the Supervisory Board recommended the immediate suspension of some employees. that will process is actually already underway.”

Meanwhile, the item was confirmed that will Christian Klinger, the VW Group’s boss of sales as well as marketing, as well as after-sales, had left the firm “due to differences with regard to business strategy”. VW confirmed Klinger’s departure was unrelated to the emissions scandal.

During a tumultuous week, the VW Group executive committee also stated that will the item could pursue criminal proceedings against those found to be responsible for the manipulation. the item will voluntarily submit a complaint to the State Prosecutors’ office as well as offer full support for any subsequent investigation.

Winterkorn announced his resignation from the wake of the scandal about a software cheat in American NOx emissions tests. The 68-year-old executive, who fought off Ferdinand Piech in a power struggle earlier that will year, had been likely to have a fresh contract extension ratified by VW’s supervisory board that will week.

An official statement by Winterkorn said: “I am clearing the way for a fresh start.

“I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that will misconduct on such a scale was possible from the Volkswagen Group.

“As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that will have been found in diesel engines as well as have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing that will from the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrongdoing on my part.

“Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way because of that will fresh start with my resignation.

“I have always been driven by my desire to serve that will company, especially our customers as well as employees. Volkswagen has been, is actually as well as will always be my life.

“The process of clarification as well as transparency must continue. that will is actually the only way to win back trust. I am convinced that will the Volkswagen Group as well as its team will overcome that will grave crisis.”

The VW Group’s interim chairman Berthold Huber said: “Mr Winterkorn has worked hard for VW as well as we could like to thank him for his efforts over the past 10 years, as well as also for his willingness to take responsibility in that will most difficult of situations.”